Middle River rallies for watch group

With the city of Fort Lauderdale starting a series of programs designed to encourage residents to become active in combating neighborhood crime, one neighborhood association is asking residents to be increasingly watchful.

Middle River Terrace Neighborhood Association President Mark Hensel, said that an alert citizenry - acting as an extra set of eyes and ears - is the best frontline defense against crime. At a recent association meeting, Hensel encouraged residents to contact the police if they spot unusual activity.

Since September, the Police Department's new Street Crimes Unit has made more than 400 arrests. The unit is made up of one lieutenant, four sergeants and 10 detectives, which provides coverage in all the city's districts.

"There can never be enough police," Hensel said. "It's made a huge difference."

Starting early next year, the city will again offer its 24th Community Police Academy. The program is designed to foster a better working relationship between the city and its residents, and includes a ride along with patrol officers.

Hensel said he has seen stolen property being sold in the neighborhood, and thieves that pick through garbage in search of personal information like credit card and identification numbers.

"They gather a bunch of bins, take them to a warehouse and go through them at their leisure," he said.

Several months ago, area residents and businesses formed a neighborhood alliance to help clean up a strip of 13th Street from Federal Highway to Powerline Road, according to former Association President Tim Smith. The goal is to clean up the strip and make it profitable, he said.

"There needs to be an effort based on a belief that the corridor is viable," Smith said.

By encouraging residents to play an active role in maintaining the neighborhood, the group hopes that both crime and overall appearance will improve.